MLB.com's Carrie Muskat has been covering Major League Baseball since 1981 and is the author of "Banks to Sandberg to Grace: Five Decades of Love and Frustration with the Cubs." You can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat. Here, she blogs about the Cubs.

12/28 Winter ball roundup

Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro went 2-for-4, hitting a two-run double in the fourth, in Escogido’s 5-4 loss to los Toros on Monday in the Dominican Winter League. Castro also tried to score with one out in the ninth but was thrown out at home. On Tuesday, Escogido (1-1) plays host to los Gigantes, who are 2-0 so far in the playoffs.

In Venezuela, Cubs prospect Marwin Gonzalez had a hit, three walks and scored twice in Caracas’ 6-5 win over Lara. Also, Cubs pitcher Jeff Gray threw 1 1/3 innings for his third save in Zulia’s 6-3 win over Magallanes.

New Cubs bench coach Pat Listach guided Ponce to a doubleheader sweep of Caguas on Monday. Listach is managing in Puerto Rico this winter.

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